Women's 2003 World Cup
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Ghana gave China an assist Sunday night.
Ghana beat Australia 2-1, clinching China a spot in the Women's World Cup quarterfinals even before China took the field for its match against Russia.
China then defeated Russia 1-0 to claim a first-place finish in Group D play.
In Columbus, Ohio, the United States advanced to the quarterfinals after beating North Korea 3-0 to maintain its perfect record and take first place in Group A. Sweden, which topped Nigeria 3-0, also reached the next round.
China, which advanced despite scoring just three goals so far, now plays Canada on Thursday at PGE Park, while Russia, the runner-up in group D, will play Germany.
I imagine the fans and the media back home might not be satisfied with three goals in three games, but we'll keep working on it," China coach Ma Liangxing said.
We may have some changes to make when we play" Canada, Ma said. We will need to play an aggressive and attacking game." China took the lead in the 16th minute when Bai Jie got past Russia goalkeeper Alla Volkova, who ran helplessly behind.
Sun Wen missed an opportunity for China when her first-half header caromed off the goalpost.
Sun led the tournament with seven goals in 1999, when the Americans beat the Chinese 5-4 on penalty kicks for the title at the Rose Bowl.
She has one goal in the competition, 106 in her career and 11 in World Cup play, one shy of Michelle Akers' Cup record. The 30-year-old has said she will retire after the World Cup. Russia (2-1) had clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with 3-0 win over Ghana on Thursday.
Tonight the team was not able to show all their capabilities because of the very aggressive play of the Chinese," said Russian coach Yuri Bystritsky Of course, we will be thinking about some changes for the match against Germany." China, which was supposed to host the World Cup before it was moved because of the SARS outbreak, beat Ghana 1-0 but played to a 1-1 tie against Australia before downing Russia to claim the top ranking in Group D. The game was played before an announced crowd of 19,132 at PGE Park home of the Triple-A Portland Beavers minor league baseball team.
Ghana was the sentimental favorite of the night with its first-ever victory in World Cup competition. Even after China and Russia took the field, Ghana fans still waved flags and cheered.
Alberta Sackey scored a pair of goals to lead Ghana (1-2), which was already eliminated. "We had nothing to lose," said Sackey, Africa's reigning Women's Footballer of the Year. "We wanted to win at least one game. In the World Cup, you need to do something." Ghana went on the attack early. Australia goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri jumped but was unable to reach Sackey's first goal, which bounced off Australia .captain Cheryl Salisbury in the 33rd minute.
It was Ghana's first goal of the competition, and second overall World Cup goal. Nana Gyamfua scored in a 1-1 tie with Australia in 1999. Sackey then took advantage when Barbieri fell trying to defend her shot in the 39th minute.
Australia narrowed it in the 66th minute when Heather Garriock took a pass from Kelly Golebiowski and beat Ghana goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana.
Ghana came to play with the passion and pride we expected and we sat back and waited for things to develop," Australia coach Adrian Santrac said. I'm still scratching my head wondering what happened in the first half." Australia finished 0-2-1 and remains winless in World Cup play, going 0-7-2 in three appearances. Ghana is now 1-4-1 in two appearances.
In Columbus, the Americans rested several stars, including FIFA Player of the Year Mia Hamm, letting its depth make the difference.
"We told her the scenarios before the game," said United States coach April Heinrichs, who has juggled the lineup for each game. We talked to her a little bit about that. I'm sure she's a little disappointed." The unbeaten Americans will play Norway in their quarterfinal match Wednesday in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Norway, which beat the United States to win the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, wrapped up its first-round play on Saturday. That played heavily into Heinrichs' decision to rest her older stars as the Americans needed only a draw to advance.
Hamm watched from the bench and team captain Julie Foudy got a new role - super sub - as youth carried the day. Abby Wambach had a penalty-kick goal in the 17th minute and Cat Reddick - the only collegian on the roster - scored twice in the second half.
Hanna Ljungberg, who set a league record with 39 goals for her Swedish team last year, scored two goals while Malin Mostrom got the third.
"It felt good to finally score," Ljungberg said. "But I was never really worried about that. It's more important that we win. Scoring three goals today shows we know how to score."
Sweden will face Brazil in the quarterfinals. The Brazilians beat Sweden in the 1995 World Cup and the 2000 Olympics. "We don't have a good history with Brazil, but we are getting closer to a victory when we've lost so many times," coach Marika Domanski Lyfors said.
